Multi-layered foldable playboard and method for packaging same

ABSTRACT

A method for packaging a playboard is disclosed. The method includes providing a playboard, a figurine, instructions, a packaging label, and a transparent container. The playboard is folded along a gap region between first and second substantially planar backing members so that the first and second substantially planar backing members lay substantially flat against one another in mating relationship. The transparent container has a sealed periphery forming a containment chamber. The containment chamber is divided into a display window and a pocket. The display window is adapted for receiving the packaging label and includes a handle for carrying the transparent container. The pocket is adapted for receiving the folded playboard, the figurine, and the instructions and has a flap portion for removably securing the folded playboard, the figurine, and the instructions within the pocket.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a children's laminated playboard, and more particularly, to a foldable, laminated playboard and a method for packaging the same.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Fiber covered playboards have been available for a number of years. The playboards typically consist of a cardboard backing having a layer of felt adhered to an upper surface. Felt figures are provided with the playboard and adhere to the felt layer of the playboard. The felt figures may be placed in any number of arrangements on the felt covered backing.

[0003] One drawback of commercially available felt covered playboards is their awkward size and packaging. Because it is desirable to have a large, flat play surface, the backing is typically provided in a unibody construction which does not fold. A fold in the center of the playboard would prevent the felt figures from laying flat on the surface of the playboard. Moreover, when the figures do not lay flat against the playboard, they do not adhere to the felt layer of the playboard as well as when the felt surface is flat. Therefore, there is a need for an improved playboard of this type and an improved method of packaging the same.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to a foldable playboard and a method for packaging the same. The playboard comprises a pair of generally planar backing members. The backing members include corresponding upper surfaces, lower surfaces, and peripheral edges.

[0005] The backing members are positioned side-by-side so that corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges are adjacent to each other. The corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges are spaced so that a gap region is formed between the backing members. A flexible membrane is fixed to the backing members and spans the gap region. The flexible membrane allows the playboard to be inwardly foldable along the corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges so that the backing members lay atop one another in mating relationship.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1a is a front perspective of the packaging of the present invention;

[0007]FIG. 1b is a rear perspective of the packaging of the present invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a folded playboard of the present invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a front view of the playboard;

[0010]FIG. 4 is a back view of the playboard; and

[0011]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the unfolded playboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

[0013] The present invention is directed to a novel children's playboard and a method of packaging the same. The package 10 of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The package 10 of FIGS. 1a and 1 b allows a relatively large playboard 12 to be packaged in a container 14 that is a fraction of the length and/or width of the playboard 12 while maintaining the advantages of a typical unibody playboard. The packaging also allows its contents to be visible to a prospective purchaser.

[0014] The container 14 is generally produced from a polymeric material such that the contents of the container 14 are visible. The container may be tinted with a color to provide a pleasing appearance to the eye, or the container 14 can be colorless. Regardless, the container 14 is transparent so that the contents can be examined by prospective purchasers.

[0015] The container 14 has a sealed periphery 16. The sealed periphery 16 forms a containment chamber 18 which is divided into a display window 20 and a pocket 22. The display window 20 is adapted for receiving a packaging label 26. The packaging label 26 is sealed within the display window 20 along a lower portion of the display window 20 so that the packaging label 26 is fixed within the display window 20 and cannot shift or be removed prior to sale.

[0016] The display window 20 also includes a handle 28 for transporting the container 14 or for hanging the container 14 on a display. The handle 28 is generally an aperture in the display window 20 but could just as easily be a loop member attached to the container 14 or take any other form that is suitable for transporting or displaying the container 14.

[0017] The pocket 22 is adapted for receiving numerous articles, namely the playboard 12, a plurality of figurines 32, and written instructions 34 for using the playboard 12 and the figurines 32. The pocket 22 includes a flap portion 36 for removably securing the playboard 30, the figurines 32, and the instructions 34 within the pocket 22. The flap portion 36 includes some means for retaining the flap portion 36 in a closed position. In the embodiment illustrated such means is a snap/receiver combination 38; however, a retaining loop can also be provided, as can a button, a hook and loop fastener, a magnetic couple, a chemical adhesive, a zipper, or virtually any fastening means.

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the playboard 12 of the present invention is illustrated. The playboard 12 comprises a pair of generally planar backing members 40 a, 40 b. The backing members 40 a, 40 b are generally similar and produced from any rigid material such as a rigid polymer, cardboard, or the like. The backing members 40 a, 40 b include corresponding upper surfaces 42, lower surfaces 44, and peripheral edges 46.

[0019] The backing members 40 a, 40 b are positioned side-by-side so that corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges 50 are adjacent to each other. The corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges 50 are spaced so that a gap region 52 is formed between the backing members 40 a, 40 b. The gap region 52 has a width that is slightly wider than the total thickness of the backing members 40 a, 40 b. The reason for this gap region 52 width will become clear upon further description.

[0020] A flexible membrane 54 is fixed to the backing members 40 a, 40 b and spans the gap region 52. The membrane 54 is formed by a first laminate 56 in cooperation with a second laminate 58. The first laminate 56 is fixed to the upper surfaces 42 of the backing members 40 a, 40 b and spans the gap region 52. The second laminate 58 is fixed to the lower surfaces 44 of the backing members 40 a, 40 b and spans the gap region 52.

[0021] The first and second laminates 56, 58 are joined to one another in the gap region 52 such that a pair of score lines 60 a, 60 b are created along the corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges 50. The score lines 60 a, 60 b are created as the second laminate 58 is slightly longer than the first laminate 56 in the gap region 52. Thus, the score lines 60 a, 60 b are located along the corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges 50 and near the upper surfaces 42 of the backing members 40 a, 40 b.

[0022] A third laminate or cloth laminate 62 of a first cloth material is fixed to an outer surface of the first laminate 56. This first cloth material is generally felt. The cloth laminate 62 covers an area defined by the upper surfaces 42 of the backing members 40 a, 40 b and the gap region 52.

[0023] The cloth laminate 62 forms a substantially planar playboard surface 64. The substantially planar playboard surface 64 is inwardly foldable along the pair of score lines 60 a, 60 b so that the corresponding similar portions of the peripheral edges 50 move inwardly toward the gap region 52. The combination of the width of the gap region 52 and the position of the score lines 60 a, 60 b allows the backing members 40 a, 40 b to lay atop one another in mating relationship when the substantially planar playboard 64 is folded. This same combination allows the substantially planar playboard surface 64 to remain relatively flat and minimizes or eliminates bulging or ribbing of the cloth material in the gap region 52 when the playboard 12 is unfolded.

[0024] The figurines 32 are generally produced from a second cloth material that is identical to the material used to produce the cloth laminate 62. Typically, the second cloth material is felt. Felt is chosen because the felt figurines 32 have a tendency to adhere to the felt laminate 62 without the use of an additional adhesive or bonding agent. The figurines 32 may include animals, humans, or any object such as clothing, umbrellas, purses, etc.

[0025] The method of packaging of the playboard 12 of the present invention includes providing the playboard 12, the figurines 32, and the written instructions 34, the packaging label 26, and the transparent container 14. The playboard 12 is folded along the score lines 60 a, 60 b between the backing members 40 a, 40 b so that the backing members lay substantially flat against one another in mating relationship. The packaging label 26 is inserted and sealed within the display window 20. Finally, the folded playboard 12, the figurine 32, and the instructions 34 are inserted within the pocket 22 of the container 14. The playboard 12, the figurines 32, and the instructions 34 are visible through the transparent container 14.

[0026] While a specific embodiment has been illustrated and described, numerous modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of packaging a playboard comprising the steps of: providing a playboard including first and second substantially planar backing members, each backing member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge, a portion of the peripheral edge of the first backing member adjacent and spaced from a corresponding portion of the peripheral edge of the second backing member such that a gap region is formed between the first and second backing members, the playboard further including a first laminate fixed to the upper surface of each backing member and spanning the gap region between the backing members, a second laminate fixed to the lower surface of each backing member and also spanning the gap region between the backing members, the first and second laminates fixed to one another in the gap region, and a third laminate of a first cloth material fixed to the first laminate and substantially covering an area defined by the upper surfaces of the backing members and the gap region; folding the playboard along the gap region between the first and second substantially planar backing members wherein the first and second substantially planar backing members lay substantially flat against one another in mating relationship; providing a figurine of a second cloth material; providing instructions for use of the playboard and the figurine; providing a packaging label; providing a transparent container, the transparent container having a sealed periphery forming a containment chamber, the containment chamber divided into a display window and a pocket, the display window adapted for receiving the packaging label and including a handle, and the pocket adapted for receiving the folded playboard, the figurine, and the instructions and having a flap portion for removably securing the folded playboard, the figurine, and the instructions within the pocket; inserting and sealing the packaging label within the display window; and inserting the folded playboard, the figurine, and the instructions within the pocket.
 2. A playboard comprising: a pair of backing members, each backing member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge, a portion of the peripheral edge of the first backing member adjacent and spaced from a corresponding portion of the peripheral edge of the second backing member such that a gap region is formed between the first and second backing members; a first laminate fixed to the upper surface of each backing member and spanning the gap region between the backing members; a second laminate fixed to the lower surface of each backing member and spanning the gap region between the backing members wherein the first and second laminates are fixed to one another in the gap region such that a pair of score lines are formed along the adjacent portions of the peripheral edges of the first and second backing members; a third laminate of a first cloth material fixed to and substantially covering an area defined by the upper surfaces of the backing members and the gap region; a substantially planar playboard surface formed by the third laminate, the substantially planar playboard surface being inwardly foldable toward the gap region along the pair of score lines wherein the first and second backing members lay atop one another in mating relationship; and a figure produced from a second cloth material identical to the first cloth material wherein the figure adheres to the substantially planar playboard without the use of an additional bonding agent.
 3. A playboard comprising: a first backing member adjacent to and in spaced relationship with a second backing member, each backing member having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a peripheral edge, the first backing member and second backing member in spaced relationship wherein a gap region is formed between corresponding portions of the peripheral edges; a membrane fixed to the backing members and spanning the gap region; and a cloth laminate at least partially covering a region defined by the upper surfaces of the first and second backing members and the gap region wherein the first and second backing members are foldable along the gap portion such that the first and second backing members lay flat against one another.
 4. The playboard of claim 3 wherein the membrane comprises a first laminate fixed to the upper surfaces of the first and second backing members.
 5. The playboard of claim 4 wherein the membrane further comprises a second laminate fixed to the lower surfaces of the first and second backing members.
 6. The playboard of claim 5 wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are joined in the gap region.
 7. The playboard of claim 6 wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are joined such that a first score line is created along a portion of the peripheral edge of the first backing member.
 8. The playboard of claim 7 wherein the first laminate and the second laminate are joined such that a second score line is created along a portion of the peripheral edge of the second backing member wherein the first backing member is inwardly foldable along the first score line and the second backing member is inwardly foldable along the second score line such that the first and second backing members lay flat against one another.
 9. The playboard of claim 8 wherein the score lines are located adjacent the upper surfaces of the backing members.
 10. The playboard of claim 9 further comprising a figure of a cloth material, the figure adhering to the cloth laminate.
 11. The playboard of claim 10 wherein the figurine adheres to the cloth laminate without the use of a chemical adhesive.
 12. A method of packaging the playboard of claim 3 comprising the steps of: folding the playboard along the gap region between the pair of backing members wherein the pair of backing members lay substantially flat against one another in mating relationship; providing a transparent container, the transparent container having a sealed periphery forming a containment chamber, the containment chamber including a pocket adapted for receiving the folded playboard; and inserting the folded playboard within the pocket.
 13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: providing a figurine cut from a cloth material; and inserting the figurine within the pocket.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: providing instructions for use of the playboard and figurine; and inserting the instructions within the pocket.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of: providing the containment chamber with a display window separate from the pocket.
 16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: providing a packaging label; inserting the packaging label within the display window; and sealing the packaging label within the display window.
 17. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of: providing the display window with a handle.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the handle comprises an aperture passing through the display window. 